If anyone can do it, Alexander Gustafsson can.
Jon Jones’ victory over Daniel Cormier at UFC 182 demoralized not only Cormier and his faithful, but the many, many Jones detractors who wanted to see Jones get his comeuppance at light heavyweight.
Wasn’t gonna happen. Even a positive cocaine test can’t seemingly stop the great one from fulfilling his destiny as, at a minimum, the best 205-pounder in light heavyweight history, no matter what the haters—did I mention there were many of those—think or feel.
But Gustafsson, in giving Jones all he could handle in a close decision loss back in 2013, came closer to beating Jones than anyone else ever has. Some people even thought he won (even though those people were probably not correct or objective). Still, a Gustafsson-Jones rematch would seem to be the final step for Jones before he migrates north to the fertile feeding grounds of the heavyweight division.
But first, there’s someone in Gustafsson’s path: Anthony Johnson. Maybe you’ve heard of him. He’s the guy who kept trying to be a welterweight like some desperate housewife struggling with a prom dress, before ultimately making peace with the fact that he was really a light heavyweight—and making some serious hay ever since.
The knockout artist from the Blackzilians meets the mad surgeon from Stockholm this Saturday at UFC on Fox 14. Rejoice and be glad in this one, as it’s free for people who own television sets.
And it’s only the main event on an interesting card. And heads up, prospect watchers: Lots of good up-and-comers are on this card as well.
What’s at stake? What’s worth watching? What’s not? Here’s a complete guide to the full 11-bout slate, including analysis, predictions, information capsules and viewing coordinates for each and every fight. Let’s get it on.